December football can lead to epic matchups, and we most definitely have one here as the Dolphins travel to Baltimore to play the AFC leading (12-3) Baltimore Ravens. The last time we played the Ravens in Baltimore was that wild 4th quarter comeback win, generated by QB Tua Tagovailoa in which the Dolphins scored 28 4th quarter points to knock off the Ravens 42-38. The Dolphins were down 35-14 to begin the 4th quarter. After the game, pundits and commentators alike made excuses for the Ravens who had an injury riddled secondary. I never hear those same excuses and concessions when we’re playing without 4/5 of our starting Offensive Line, but so be it.
This is a very difficult game to predict, but I don’t think the scoring total goes anywhere near last year’s wild shootout. While the Dolphins defense overall has allowed 20.9 points per game, over the last 8 games the Dolphins defense has been better, allowing only 15.8 points per game. Conversely, the Ravens defense overall is allowing only 16.3 points per game, but over the last 8 games, the Ravens have allowed 18.3 points per game. I think our defense has often been the better unit. While our offense overall has scored 30.9 points per game, we’re scoring 27.8 points per game over the last 8 games. Defense wins championships, and we’re going to need to rely on our defense to beat the Ravens.
We all know we have injuries littering our roster, but despite playing with 4 different O-line starters, we’re still getting it done. RG Robert Hunt’s status is still up in the air. WR Jaylen Waddle is OUT, which means there will probably be a combination of Robbie Chosen, Chase Claypool, Cedrick Wilson and Braxton Berrios to replace Waddle. Wilson has been getting a fair amount of targets in the last few games, but I think the run game will be the key for us. The Ravens have allowed 1551 yards rushing, while our defense is more stingy at 1362 yards. We’re going to have 4 RB’s active, Mostert, Achane, Wilson and Brooks plus FB Alec Ingold. Like I’ve mentioned on the blog, I don’t really have a good idea of how this game will play out, but I won’t be surprised if it’s a lower scoring game, both teams under 30 points each, and that we run the ball a fair amount, more than we throw.
I’m amazed at how good the O-line has been considering we’re playing without our starting LG Isaiah Wynn (IR), starting OC (Connor Williams (IR), starting RG Robert Hunt (QUESTIONABLE), and starting RT Austin Jackson (QUESTIONABLE). OG Lester Cotton filled in admirably, as did OG Robert Jones who played his best game of the season at RG. Liam Eichenberg has quietly become a very valuable player, perhaps becoming our future OC. What an amazing turnaround for Eichenberg who was drafted as an OT/G, failed at both positions early on in his career, but played better at OG this season as it went on, and now is succeeding at playing C after starter Connor Williams went down for the season in Game 9 against the Chargers. Besides Eichenberg, both swing tackles have been invaluable, Kendall Lamm who played RT with starter Austin Jackson out and Kion Smith who stepped in played LT plenty of times to replace oft injured LT Terron Armstead. To Armstead’s credit, he plays through injuries and has done his best to stay on the field despite his body failing him.
I think we all know this game is a huge one, I look at this as playoff game #1. December, which has annually been a time this team has fallen out of contention is different this year with our Dolphins at 3-1 in December in 2023. The Ravens being the #1 seed in the AFC couldn’t be tougher team to face, especially in their house. QB Lamar Jackson is a game changer, the most talented, most dangerous guy on the field. In my opinion, as he goes, the Ravens go. This is not so with the Miami Dolphins. Tua can have an average day and the Dolphins can win, but the Ravens live and die with Lamar Jackson. Jackson doesn’t turn the ball over much at all with a 1.6 INT %, less than our own careful QB Tua Tagovailoa at 2.0%. Jackson has thrown 19 TD’s against only 7 INT’s. The big difference though is Lamar Jackson who also has 786 yards rushing and 5 rushing TD’s. For reference, Jackson leads the Ravens in rushing yards ahead of their 2nd leading rusher big back Gus Edwards with 694 yards. Edwards is the big goal line threat though with 12 rushing TD’s. It’s a difficult task to control Lamar Jackson, when the pass rush is too aggressive and unsuccessful, he can feast through the air or escape and pick up huge chunks of yards. I think it’s paramount that we stop Gus Edwards. They no longer have their version of De’Von Achane in RB Keaton Mitchell, who tore his ACL and is out for the season. Contain the run game, and when you get your hands on Lamar Jackson, take him down, or else! Easier said than done!
I think all our backs, even seldom used RB Chris Brooks may get some action today. With Waddle OUT, I’m not sure we have a WR that’s going to step up and replace him adequately. The O-line has been run blocking well, and I think that’s how we’re going to roll Sunday afternoon. NFL playoff games are usually close to the vest affairs, I expect that to be the case for this game. Once again, the Ravens run defense isn’t their strength, their pass rush is. Quick passing of course offsets a strong pass rush, and that’s how our offense is designed and how our QB Tua Tagovailoa is most comfortable operating. Make him hold the ball, and we’ve seen some ugly. Running effectively opens up the pass game so we need to run the ball well. I look forward to watching this game, I think we’re up to the task, I don’t feel like this game or team is too much for us. I look forward to our team putting an exclamation on this season by taking down the big and bad Ravens in their house.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
We really need to figure out why Fangio’s defense collapses like this sometimes.
It’s the team. We have done this for years
This next possession will say a lot about the psyche of our team.
The Ravens have a ton of injuries as well. If this is the way we play against good teams when we have injuries, then we will be out in the first round again. You have to find a way, if not, then this happens.
Why can’t we get better return game yardage?
and
Why do we give up so many long returns in the kicking game?
Yes, we are getting outplayed. But we are also making mistakes on offense and countless on defense that is causing that.
Shitty game. The difference between us and real contenders is glaring…and yes, the Cowboys are not real contenders. To think that we were only down by 1 with 3 minutes left and found a way to lose the game by halftime is beyond frustrating. At what point does this team figure it out? MM still doing the same stupid shit. Tua still throws bad ints. Grier still finds the most injury prone dudes for our team.
As we overpay for injury prone dudes like X and Armstead, and projects like Chosen, Apple, and Claypool, we still haven’t addressed consistent players like Wilkins, Tua, and AVG. Guys who continue to produce while the other dudes don’t. That needs to change.
We aren’t real contenders. We will lose next week, and go into the playoffs having beaten ZERO AFC playoff teams. That’s not good for the old confidence thing…
So we drafted CB Cam Smith and that fucker can’t stay healthy enough to see the field. Seems as if we will be drafting a CB early in again
Unfortunately I drank the last of my Grey Goose last night. @*%&@#&*%&#
😂
The Ravens are a really good team. It’s as if we must be the best team or we suck. I’m still enjoying the ride.🙂
We are getting the shit kicked out of us Tim. This isn’t enjoyable for most of us.
I think I’m aware. But it’s not the end of the season.
I hate the way Harbaugh seems to be teaching the refs and they seem to be so respectful to his whining
coverage sack
false start
wheels coming off
Bills up 27-14 now
Down by 22 and you throw the ball behind the LOS on a 3rd and long? Can you say: “Give up”? Loser mentality.
Hopefully we can get healthy for next week and throw Buffalo a fuckin beatin!
Only the putrid jest have started more different combinations on the OL than we have.
Can’t start 3 subs on the line against the best team in the league and do well.
I told y’all after the Titans loss we would be playing for the conference championship vs Bills in week 18.
I was referred to as a negative nelly. I was just calling it the way I saw it panning out.
Hate that I was right.
Top teams find a way to pick up the slack. The Ravens defense is struggling against our offense, their injuries probably contribute to that, or maybe we outplayed them for a bit.
But they still made a big INT that helped them take control of this game. They still are making some stops.
And they get a big special teams return. And their stars make big plays to get TDs.
Our stars dropped a TD and threw a stupid pick. Our special teams just gave up a big return.
The Ravens have made very few mistakes, and have overcome mistakes when they do make them. They overcame a penalty and converted a 3rd and 16 to score on their 1st drive otherwise we might have taken a 2 TD lead early in this game. And who know what happens next? But it didn’t play out that way because they overcame.
We’ve made a ton of mistakes and haven’t played well. I don’t get why we need to make excuses for poor play. What a good team does is play well in spite of injuries and if you lose, then you excuse it. We shouldn’t excuse playing one good quarter on offense, then getting blown up in all phases and losing by what will likely be 40.
And if you’re ok continually getting blown out in big games, more power to you.
We can’t cover shit underneath
Riley got juked out of his shoes
We need bigger inside linebackers.
Riley’s just a guy.
3rd and 10 and you can’t get off the field that has been the problem
The Ravens have only faced four 3rd down plays so far. Our problems begin with that.
WTFFFFFFFFFFF
The Ravens circled Riley as a target. They’ve been doing it all day.
Sieler makes the play.
Tua you fuck
Well that’s shit
Ok, now we’re choking. 🤣
😩
And it continues
Man. Fucking Tua gives it right back. We’ve just seen this too many times.
Way to force the fucking ball when the defense just gave it back to you, dumb ass
That INT is just plain lazy as shit.
^^
Just in case anyone missed it above.
The Ravens have only faced FOUR 3rd down plays today.
Our defense has only gotten it to 3rd down FOUR times today. That is pure garbage.
Hence 35 points
Not a good game today but I am not down on this team. We have never beaten 2 10 win teams in back to back games in our history. It is a tall order. We are still a good team but tip of the cap to the Ravens they are an excellent team
My goal this year has always been to make the playoffs and win a game. We’ve already made the playoffs, so it’s still on the table depending on who we draw in the 1st rd.
Here’s the thing: yes, we have injuries- every team does. But if we can’t beat good teams with our injuries then we may as well as pack it in now, because all we have left are good teams.
GARBAGE in all 3 phases of the game.
I knew this game was going to be bad.
My wife and I always do kind of a date night Fondue at home on New Years Eve. We decided to do it yesterday because I told her I didn’t want to be all pissy for our date night after we get blown out against the Ravens, lol.
That’s a great move Cav.
👍
Did someone run the wrong route? Why were Chosen and Hill in the same area?
Layering routes but I think Chosen was deeper than he should have been
Another D stop. What’s the over/under on number of passes before Tua throws another INT?
7
That will give me time to calm down before I get pissed again. lol
I told her I didn’t want to be all pissy for our date night after we get blown out against the Ravens, lol.
—————
I had no choice having to work last night. Will be drowning sorrows tonight.
We could still make this a game. Show us something
Yes. We need to score a TD here though. Baltimores D is really banged up.
The most important thing now is to come away with no more injuries. I expect us to be better next week.
You jinxed it!
It’s ok, we’re only playing the Bills next week. We can get by on our 3rd center.
😂
Ummmmm. How was that not pass interference?
Ravens are getting banged up but will have 3 weeks to get healthy.
Oh fuck!!!!!!!!
And there goes our backup center.
CAV, why did you say that???????????
lol, it’s inevitbale
inevitable
Pats miss a FG. Still down 27-14
Tua slid REALLY early there. I’m glad
Wilson has put together a nice game
Eich already back in. That’s good news
You’re temporarily forgiven
Tried to make something happen. Should have just cut it up when he had the chance.
Come on Claypool. Wtf
Ah man, Claypool had a chance to do something.
Two dropped TD passes today
2 dropped TDs in one game
2 dropped TDs today
Beers 🍻 all around
😂
Might need something stronger
No shit
Last year
35-14 going into the 4th
This year
35-13 going into the 4th
We have them right where we want them, LOL
Should be 35-24 right now
Well, we got it anyway
Achane with hops
Now let’s fucking go defense
Now a dropped 2 point conversion
Wish they’d given us a replay. I couldn’t tell if he dropped it or the defender knocked it out.
I know
Don’t like going for 2 on the front end
I agree. Should have waited
I wish we would have gone for the extra point. Go for two when you need it. Take the point.
^
Pats scored. 27-21 Bills lead
We have more hope there
Are we all idiots, or is it just the coach?
I think analytics say go for the 2 but I just disagree with it
^
Coach must have thought he had the momentum. Hate that fade pass. Fuck
Pass was there just not a good job by the TE
It’s on the defense once again.
not too sad about going for it now to take the pressure off having to do it late,
but wonder about going to a touch fade to the blocking TE,
a rookie from Campbell College who hasn’t caught many passes this year.
The throw was perfect.
I never agree with going for 2 in those situations, but it seems like we, and every other HC does it anyway
Yeah, like Ken said it’s analytics. Doesn’t mean it makes sense!
Jackson has an ESPN passer rating of 158.3 right now.
I think that is a perfect rating
It is
That’s not the ESPN stat that is the official league stat
Same old D
We can’t stop their offense.😥
Well, that’ll do it.
Ravens have still only faced five 3rd downs. It’s unreal how easily they have shredded our defense.
Concerning actually
Given up 139 yards rushing and 317 passing so far
no DE or OLB setting the edge.
That’s on Fangio as much as any player.
Like I said earlier, Fangio getting schooled today
Toooo easy
Just continually wide open
Wow! You’re telling me a Ravens Receiver was wide open? Nooooooo. Even the fucking FB is wide open today.
I’d really consider firing Fangio.
I haven’t seen great D coaching.
We have a lot of great players on D,
but they are often in bad positions.
We have just had about an 8 game run where we have been the best D in the league putting up numbers on par with the Ravens
Terrible communication in the secondary today. Couldn’t get it fixed.
Pats with the ball back on their own 3 yard line down 27-21 with 6:41 left.
This better not be a dick tease.
Oh well, hopefully we play better next week or we’ll get blown out in that game too.
Maybe we’ll get lucky and back into the division title with a Buffalo loss today.
Like,
what was our game plan on D?
We seem to just be running along with guys.
We don’t seem to be trying to take away any one thing
or do anything proactive on our part.
I’d rather see us run the amoeba than this shit.
At least cover zero made Lamar think, which is is worst trait.
We lose next week, we will be on the road playing in Buffalo as a WC.
Repeat
Limp into playoffs, get blown out
Worst part will be watching the Bills win the division.
Tired….
Winning 11 games is not limping into the playoffs
I’m kind of surprised how small a factor Berrios has been this year in the passing game. Today would have been a good game for him to put up some numbers, but Wilson seems to be the guy who gets those targets when Waddle or Hill are out.
We have not used Berrios well at all.
too cute on offense again
No offsides????
That wasn’t offside?!
Would have been better to sling it deep
Tua concussed??
Smart play Tua. Run it on 4 th and 13
Tua slid and still got hurt
Ravens stupid for keeping bridgewater in there
Bills about to put their game away. Patriots put up a good fight on the road in a game they were really overmatched.
Next week should be another disaster.
and Buffalo got the ball in Pats territory. Bills going to win. It’s put up or shut up next week.
All these great numbers we put up this season won’t mean shit if they don’t win next week.
Correct. I really don’t expect us to win that game. Hopefully I’ll be proven wrong.
Someone mentioned it earlier, wonder if Holland coming back hurt more than it helped with communication in the secondary. Even if it did, we needed to get him back up to speed.
🙋♂️
Maybe them getting humiliated will be a blessing.
I really don’t think so. It’s happened before .
That was the perfect way to end that short drive. Microcosm of the entire game.
This team just plays small in big games. It starts with leadership and goes all the way down.
Even now just running out the clock the Ravens have only faced six 3rd downs today.
Our defense was so bad